I'm gonna change the transmission fluid tomorrow on a '95 Civic EX and was wondering if anyone has tried the Redline MTF fluid? I heard some good things about it but I wanted to know if it meets the Honda MTF requirements, as I've heard things like gears slipping and noise when the wrong fluid is used and I've never changed tranny fluid so I wanna make sure I get the right stuff.

Here's a link to what I'm gonna use:
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=45&pcid=7
Yay or Nay?

If not, I guess I'll go use the "genuine" Honda fluid from a dealer.

 

That stuff is expensive. Better off with Torco MTF.

If not, then Supertech 10w-30, not Honda MTF.

 

Redline MTF IMHO dissolves the plastic bearing cages. I used to do alot of ISB replacements of owners who used it. Since they went back to 10w30 motor oil, no more issues.

 

So if not Redline (Mostly cause I can't find it in any stores), what about something from Royal Purple? I found some bottles of Royal Purple High Performance Automotive Gear Oil SAE 75W-90. But didn't buy since I don't think it's the right weight plus I'm unsure exactly which MTF to buy. I'm not concerned about price, especially since I'm a believer in the old "you get what you pay for" thing.

Also, anything that says Manual Transmission Fluid vs bottles that just say Gear Oil are the same thing right? Either one is placed into the tranny after draining the old fluid?

 

I know it's a simple thing to do, I've just never changed MTF before and I wanna figure this out but I'm unsure which fluid to use. I was hoping to just pick up some fluid at a local place since the nearest Honda dealer is at least 30min. away.

Edit: I've had people say use something like regular old 10w-30 motor oil or whatever motor oil the manual suggests, but then I've had others turn around and say that's a bit out of date and can be used, but a specific MTF would be best.

 

im running Pennzoil synchromesh, better than honda MTF, other people are running royal purple or GM synchromesh.

 

I was leaning towards the Royal Purple Synchromax or whatever, but I thought these Synchromesh/max fluids were for Auto tranny's? Or are they okay to use in the Honda Manual tranny's.

 

DO NOT use gear oil.

DO NOT use 75W90.

Do not use any kind of additives.

Follow those and you pretty much can't go wrong. I've been using Honda MTF but I might try Aquafina's suggestions... although it's probably a little too late for me.

Hey thanks for putting my site in your sig!!!

 

10w30 is all you need, Honda even recommends.

Or you can use the thinner 5w30 Pennzoil Synchromesh at 4x the price a quart.

 

I decided to go with the Royal Purple Synchromax MTF, I heard good things about it. That and good things about the Pennzoil Synchromesh MTF and of course the Honda MTF.

Now if only I could get the fill bolt off...

lol, your welcome. It's a really good site, one of my favorite.

 

Hope you didn't overpay for the RP stuff.....but you already did.

RP buys synchromesh in bulk from Pennzoil.......add in some of their cheap oil......sell it for more!

 

Yeah, I went with R-P Synchromax. A quart of R-P tranny fluid was only $2-3 more than the pennzoil, I used their motor oil so I figured I'd give the tranny fluid a try.

Anyway, I was very satisfied with the results, made a huge difference over whatever fluid was in there before. Tranny is quieter, shifting is a lot smoother, and feels more responsive. Now I just gotta take care of the bad ISB sometime soon...

Thanks for the help. Especially the Pennzoil suggestion, made me research the RP and Pennzoil Synchromesh/max fluids, very satisfied .